The Shattered Land_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [116]
“This makes no sense. If I am the only one who can use the key … you came to Xen’drik without me. If we had not met, your mission would have failed.”
Faith. The warforged were not born by accident, little brother. We are part of a grand design, older than human civilization and far more ancient than House Cannith. When this key was placed in my keeping, I was assured that one would arrive who could use it—and so we found you.
“What grand design? Who gave you the key?”
These are not my secrets to tell, and you are not ready to hear them. You must learn faith, brother. Only then will your destiny be revealed.
Was he mad? Pierce had never heard of warforged going insane, but if Indigo’s story was true—if Harmattan had truly pulled himself back from the brink of death—such an experience would be bound to challenge the strongest mind. Pierce remembered the ravings of the changeling Hugal, who claimed that the people of Cyre could harness the power of the Mournland and turn it against their foes. Was Harmattan insane? On the other hand, his power was undeniable. Was a higher power acting through him? Did it have plans for Pierce—and for all the warforged? He glanced at Indigo, but she said nothing.
He took the essence disk from Harmattan’s massive hand. “What do you want me to do?”
Bond with the disk, than walk to the sigil. Stare into the glass until you see the flames, then command the door to open.
“You said the door would destroy any creature that tried to force it.”
The key will protect you.
“You may trust your nameless benefactor. I see no reason to do so.”
It doesn’t matter. You have no choice. You will do as I say. It is why you are here.
“I am not your slave, and if you destroy me, you still cannot open your door. I want information. If you expect me to use this key for you, you will start by telling me who gave it to you.”
“Why are you doing this?” Indigo said, watching from the side.
“When I was a soldier, I served without question. You promised freedom. Do you even know what that is?”
Harmattan rustled. You are a fool, little brother. You cannot fight fate, and you cannot bargain with me. I have been given all the tools I need, even if I did not see their value right away. I have you … and I have her. Harmattan’s glowing eyes turned toward Lei. Disobey me, and she dies.
Even as the words hung in the air, Pierce’s mind was racing, evaluating the positions of the combatants and the actions he could take. The results were disillusioning. Despite his bold words earlier he wasn’t sure he could defeat Indigo, though he would have the momentary advantage of surprise. Lei was surrounded. Even if Pierce could reach her in time and somehow scatter Hydra, he had no idea how to defeat Harmattan.
“Why should I care?” he said. The calculations had taken less than a second; hopefully Harmattan hadn’t noticed the hesitation.
So you don’t care after all? Good. He gestured, and two of Hydra’s bodies grabbed Lei’s arms. Hydra! he called. I’d like to make a point to our brother Pierce. Please remove one of his fleshling’s fingers.
An instant later Lei cried out in pain. “Damn you!” she screamed, moaning.
Pierce moved toward her, but Harmattan slammed him to the ground with a single blow. He had no skeleton, but whatever force bound his body together gave him tremendous strength. Do I tell Hydra to bind the wound, little brother, or should I move down to the wrist?
Protect my daughter. It was a voice from a dream, but now Pierce realized that it had been with him all along, that on some level he’d known it was his purpose when he’d first laid eyes on Lei. Protect my daughter.
“I told you that I would destroy you if you harmed her.”
Fate seems to have other ideas.
“Very well. I will do as you ask, but you will pay for this.”
I think not. I am doing this for you, little brother, and for all of us. In time, you will realize this. One day, you will kill her at my command. He turned back toward Hydra. Search that pack of hers. I suspect she has rope and bandages. Restrain